The Secret Garden sunflower contest winners are, from left to right, David Crowley, Casey Westall, Peggy Crowley, and Jack Westall. Secret Garden owner David Urban, in back, was on hand to give out their awards. Photo by Sam Bari David Urban, proprietor of the Secret Garden on Southwest Avenue, announced the winners of the 12th annual sunflower growing contest last Sunday. Winners in four divisions won ribbons for growing the tallest plants as well as the largest blooms. The grand prize winners were also given $10 Secret Garden gift certificates with their purple ribbons.

This year, the grand prizes went to Casey Westall for the largest bloom, 17.5-inches, and to Dan Crowley for the tallest plant at 12-feet 8-inches.

When Casey was asked if she had a secret formula for growing the largest sunflower bloom she said, "My mother feeds it fertilizer and I feed it worms," valuable information she wanted to share with future contestants.

In the children's division, top height awards went to Casey Westall in first place, Stuart Wemple, in second place, and Molly Coghlin took third place. An unregistered first place award went to Jessy Primiano

The tallest plant awards in the kids division went to Jack Westall, first place, Casey Westall, second place, and Benjamin Waldo, third place. Sophie Primiano received recognition for unregistered first place.

In the teen division, the only entrant was Paul Botelho, who was given the top prize for the tallest plant and largest bloom.

The two adult entries were Lu Ann and Bill Botelho. Lu Ann won first place for both tallest plant and largest bloom, and Bill won second place in both categories.

In the senior citizen division, Dan Crowley won first place for the largest bloom, while Eliot Denault and Peggy Crowley took second and third place honors respectively.

The tallest plant awards in the senior division were won by Dan Crowley, first place, Peggy Crowley, second place and Dorothy Denault came in third.

Former shop owners Heidi Lessard, Holly Howard, and Helenna Fountain started the contest 12 years ago. David Urban, who took over the business in March of this year promised to uphold the traditions of the Fountain sisters and continue with their programs.